WMU seeking donations for Broncos in military

By David Alexander
Western Herald

Western Michigan University is seeking donations and help in preparing care packages for WMU-affiliated soldiers serving over seas.
The mailing list consists of students, staff, alumni, faculty and employee family members serving in over-seas units.

The volunteer committee is asking that donations be dropped off to Brenda Hamlyn in the WMU Registrar’s Office by Feb. 18. The bulk-rate boxes are to be stuffed full of snacks, toiletries and WMU-related items, and sent to soldiers Feb. 24.

Paul MacNellis, director of Landscape Services at the Physical Plant, said that the committee is still looking for snack items that will withstand the intense temperatures they endure during shipping.
Items like individual packaged sausages, beef jerky, hard candy, nuts, trail mix and canned chips are preferable. Some toiletries such as hard soap, dental floss and mouthwash are also being sought.
“The best snacks are stuff that a soldier can throw into their cargo pocket or knap-sack when going out, and not have to take the time to wrap or worry about crushing,” MacNellis said in an e-mail.
MacNellis said sending liquids is difficult and that certain hair products are volatile and cannot be sent.Even though the contents of the package need to be listed on it, there isn’t much that cannot be sent.

The committee tends to focus on snacks, toiletries,and items indicative of WMU like newspapers, pencils, and Bronco flags, he said. This year, a donor purchased phone cards to be included.
Many students tend not to inform the university that they are being deployed.  MacNellis, a two-time veteran, said that the committee mails four rounds of packages a year, and sends birthday and Christmas cards to soldiers who are on the list of deployed soldiers.

“If a student is in the military, and is being deployed, please get in contact with us, or with the Registrar’s Office, and let us know,” MacNellis said.

MacNellis said that about a third of students respond with e-mails or pictures thanking the committee for the packages. The committee does its best to imbibe the packages with the spirit of WMU, he said.

“It’s nice to get a package, we know that … we’re not doing it for [thank yous],” MacNellis said.

Scott Henkle, an Army Staff Sergeant who did three tours of duty in Korea and one in Operation Iraqi freedom, said that because of intense heat and the amount of sand flying around in the Middle East, baby wipes are a useful item to have.

“The coolest things I got were playing cards and gummy bears,” Henkle added.

According to the press release, the committee is still looking for volunteers to help with the packaging on Feb. 24 and is seeking mailing list information. Those interested in becoming a volunteer must be willing to meet quarterly for two hours on Tuesdays.
For more information, visit wmich.edu/advocacy or contact the advocacy office at advocacy-office@wmich.edu or (269) 387-0740.

Short URL: http://www.westernherald.com/?p=3997

Posted by HeraldAdmin on Feb 15 2009. Filed under Campus, Nation, News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

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